The role of angiography in the evaluation of cerebral vascular malformations.

Although magnetic resonance imaging has become the modality of choice for the diagnostic evaluation of cerebral vascular malformations, cerebral angiography remains indispensable for the evaluation of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Super-selective angiography allows detailed endovascular exploration of the various vascular elements composing cerebral arteriovenous malformations and is essential in elucidating their angioarchitecture and for treatment planning. Clinicoangioarchitectural correlations further our understanding of the natural history of cerebral arteriovenous malformations.